OVP, DSWD programs exempted from ban

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allowed the humanitarian operations of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the 45-day campaign period leading to the May 9 national elections.

Commissioner George Garcia said that the Comelec en banc agreed to grant the exemption on Wednesday, covering the period from March 25, which is the start of the official local campaign period, until May 8, which is the end of the campaign period for both national and local candidates.

The official 90-day campaign period for national candidates started on February 8 while the 45-day local campaign period will start on Friday, March 25.

Garcia did not specify what operations of the OVP and the DSWD were granted exemptions.

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo early this year asked the Comelec to grant exemption to its Covid response operations that include Swab Cab testing, Bayanihan E-Konsulta and Vaccine Express.

“We thank the Comelec en banc for their action on the OVP’s request,” Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said in a statement.

“This will ensure that Angat Buhay projects which have helped hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in the past six years can continue to bring hope to communities all over the Philippines.”

The DSWD, meanwhile, asked for exemption to continue distributing emergency financial aid to poor families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the release, disbursement and expenditures of public funds, construction of public works, appointment or hiring of new employees, filling up of new positions, and giving salary increases, among others, 45 days before the regular election and 30 days before a special election.

Under Comelec Resolution 10747, a certificate of exemption is needed to implement activities and programs on social welfare projects and services amid the public spending ban from March 25 to May 8.